Not a bee-fly?

Observed: 9th July 2011 By: andyjasmith

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Added: 10th July 2011

Description:

Unusual insect hovering on a verbena plant to extract nectar via proboscis app 22mm long. Body app 25mm long: rear third resembled a bee in size & colours, front two-thirds translucent - could see internal organs. (Flower head in photo is app. 26mm across). Darted rapidly from flower to flower, never landing. Large wings a blur - orangey colour.
The nearest I can find in everyday reference books or on the web is the bee-fly (Bombylius major), in that it has the proboscis - but appearance is completely different.
Weather sunny / showery intervals.